AppLovin nonconsensual installs
benedelman.org
AppLovin nonconsensual installs
1–10 of 64 posts
Re: AppLovin nonconsensual installs
#2Are there any apps designed to specifically gate every install, including background OTA installs sent by carriers, because I'm security conscious with my devices but I have family who very much are not.
Ideally, I can just nag my non-tech savvy relatives to let me install such a security app for them and then enjoy having peace of mind for their behalf.
Re: AppLovin nonconsensual installs
#3How does the platform even allow a single tap on an ad to install an app?
Edit: Discussed somewhat here https://www.benedelman.org/applovin-permissions/. Seems like it's abetted by garbage from the carrier.
Something for iOS to look forward to?
Re: AppLovin nonconsensual installs
#4Are there any apps designed to specifically gate every install, including background OTA installs sent by carriers, because I'm security conscious with my devices but I have family who very much are not. Ideally, I can just nag my non-tech savvy relatives to let me install such a security app for them and then enjoy having peace of mind for their behalf.
Yes: “App Store” on iOS protects you against exactly this.
Re: AppLovin nonconsensual installs
#5How does the platform even allow a single tap on an ad to install an app? Edit: Discussed somewhat here https://www.benedelman.org/applovin-permissions/ . Seems like it's abetted by garbage from the carrier. Something for iOS to look forward to?
You neglected to mention Google's Android. It's business model that maximizes for reach over everything else is the root cause.
Re: AppLovin nonconsensual installs
#6Are there any apps designed to specifically gate every install, including background OTA installs sent by carriers, because I'm security conscious with my devices but I have family who very much are not. Ideally, I can just nag my non-tech savvy relatives to let me install such a security app for them and then enjoy having peace of mind for their behalf.
You could try looking at "MDM" products. They're mostly targeted at corporations, and tend to be server based (OS calls the server directly) rather than on-device apps. But they can do some of these kinds of things.
Re: AppLovin nonconsensual installs
#7I reported problems about applovin sdk clicking on/opening ads on ios apps like a decade+ ago. have never used them since.
Re: AppLovin nonconsensual installs
#8Are there any apps designed to specifically gate every install, including background OTA installs sent by carriers, because I'm security conscious with my devices but I have family who very much are not. Ideally, I can just nag my non-tech savvy relatives to let me install such a security app for them and then enjoy having peace of mind for their behalf.
Not buying a carrier phone or buying an iPhone (which doesn't permit carriers to inject the same type of crap into the device, they can only influence access to certain settings). AppLovin cannot install anything in the background without deep system access, and manual installation of non-Google apps requires confirming at least three popups.
There are antivirus apps on Android that will warn you for this crap, but an antivirus cannot work on an operating system designed to install malware.
Re: AppLovin nonconsensual installs
#9Are there any apps designed to specifically gate every install, including background OTA installs sent by carriers, because I'm security conscious with my devices but I have family who very much are not. Ideally, I can just nag my non-tech savvy relatives to let me install such a security app for them and then enjoy having peace of mind for their behalf.
Yes: “App Store” on iOS protects you against exactly this.
Having non-tech-savvy relatives throw out their phones, buy thousand dollar hardware and swap to an operating system they are unfamiliar with is an absolutely terrible solution to the problem.
Re: AppLovin nonconsensual installs
#10How does the platform even allow a single tap on an ad to install an app? Edit: Discussed somewhat here https://www.benedelman.org/applovin-permissions/ . Seems like it's abetted by garbage from the carrier. Something for iOS to look forward to?
iOS famously doesn't allow reloading themes or software. It's part of why they struggled to find a carrier to launch with in the beginning, because carriers modifying phones used to be the norm.
There are settings carriers can push to iOS (access to features like tethering, some network configuration stuff) but this type of malware cannot be pushed onto iOS. At worst, carriers push shitty Java applets to the (e)SIM, but that's all sandboxed off from any user interaction.